What is different with this craftsman ratchet?
- Thread starter wrenchr
- Start date
lauver
Well-known member
A new style reverse lever?
EDIT: make that a new style reverse lever and quick release button...and both made of metal, not plastic.
EDIT: make that a new style reverse lever and quick release button...and both made of metal, not plastic.
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lauver
Well-known member
You're not suggesting that Sears/Danaher is experimenting with quality improvements are you?
No I did this............................... what else is there besides the lever???
So are these metal or plastic???
That 1/4" is metal for sure. Haven't looked at the 1/2" real close. What's your guess?
It is metal....
Yup but there is no quick release!!
It is metal....
oh good. That's Sooo nice to hear.
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
Interesting. My Boss just picked up a new Matco 1/4 ratchet without a quick release that is open in the back JUST LIKE THAT ONE. My Matco 1/4 has a solid cover plate like a Snap On does.
The matco that is open in the back will interchange with craftsman!!
I used an old napa ratchet for the parts for this.
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
Any idea if that new flush quick release is sealed like the thin pro line?
lauver
Well-known member
Wrenchr,
Good, for a minute there I thought the world was coming to an end.
I don't own any of these ratchets so it's hard for me to tell. Just a guess though, you replaced the gear/bit assembly with a non-quick release version?
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
If you were to buy a current Napa ratchet, it would have serrated arrowhead type selector switch. As for the Matco ratchet being similiar, it's an old 36 tooth design that I think has been phased out. I have seen ratchets on the rack at Sears with the Napa type selector switch. I guess someone dosed off at the plant.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The plastic ones stay black whereas, the metal ones with wear go from black to copper. I think it's more of a touch identification though.
For craftsman yes. The other brands they make seem to be metal.
Thank you. Ya see Elroy currently has a 3/8" K-D on order with Fastenal to fill the gap between his 1/2" and 1/4". The local Fastenal branch has always been a real PIA to deal with. If this ratchet shows up with the plastic lever, Elroy is going to refuse delivery. Thank you posting a picture of the plastic version.
Another hidden benefit of the Garage Journal.
Another hidden benefit of the Garage Journal.
Uncle Buck
Banned
A few years back I aquired a Craftsman ratchet with one of those crappy plastic reversing levers. I do not recall why, but I used the wire wheel on my bench grinder on the ratchet and removed half of the plastic reversing switch before I realized what the heck it was! What a joke, plastic! Sheeeesh!
J.A.F.E.
Well-known member
lauver
Well-known member
Elroy,
How come one of your KD ratchets is a quick release and the other is not? Did you buy them at different times.
You know, when I look at the craftsman, napa , kd, matco, and armstrong ratchets, they're all starting to blend into a single generic ratchet (minor cosmetic differences aside). Where's the real brand differentiation...price, handle shape, lever shape?
How come one of your KD ratchets is a quick release and the other is not? Did you buy them at different times.
You know, when I look at the craftsman, napa , kd, matco, and armstrong ratchets, they're all starting to blend into a single generic ratchet (minor cosmetic differences aside). Where's the real brand differentiation...price, handle shape, lever shape?
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
They are are all different branches of the same Danaher tree. Aside from the obivious name differences, the brands have uniquely shaped handles (there is overlap between the knurled handle). The ratchet weight and balance is also different based on the handle design and brand. Matco's tend to be lighter from perhaps using better steel. Matco doesn't use a quick release. Some brands offer more variations than others. These ratchets have been standardized clones for more than a few years. Price differences can be huge but, at least in Matco's case you're also paying for the store to come to you.
Purchased the 1/4" about 8 years ago. The 1/2" joined the collection last week. Have a quick release 3/8" on order to fill out the set. Both the 1/4" and 1/2" were relatively economical. Paying through the wallet for the 3/8". Considering if a Q/R 1/2" kit is worth it.
Well the 3/8" K-D delivered Friday to fill out the set. Looking back on it, Elroy should have delayed making this purchase for two reasons. First off was the price. The only real local source to K-D for Elroy was Fastenal. These ******** **** dicks would not move on their price of $33.52. By the time tax and shipping was paid it cost Elroy $41.45 to fill in the set.
The other thing that disappoints Elroy is the fact this ratchet is in fact a real POS. It's only 36 tooth, the knurl on the handle is poorly applied, the shift action is rough and it cost too dam much. Paid $6 for the 1/4", then $14 for the 1/2" and almost $42 for that POS 3/8 making a grand total of $62 for (3) sub par ratchets.
The only real saving grace is that all the shift levers are metal. Then again the 1/2" is NOT quick release so really the set is not matched. But to be fair, Elroy has always liked the 1/4". It feels good in the hand and for its size works well.
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Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You could always swap the gear out from a Craftsman ratchet and get your matched quick release set.
Thank you. Fully aware of this fact and at some point in time that may very well happen. For now Elroy is just going to use them as is.
Firefyter-Emt
Well-known member
Funny you brought this up... I have mostly all Snap-On or S-K tools and all my ratchets are S-K. The other day I had to run to sears to I brought a ratchet that broke maybe 5 to 7 years ago with me. I almost fell over when I saw just how big of a piece of **** it looked like compared to the one I had. (which was not all that impressive back then!)
Not sure if it's worth buying another ratchet, the sears one only comes out if I can't find where I left my good ones! LOL
Not sure if it's worth buying another ratchet, the sears one only comes out if I can't find where I left my good ones! LOL
I really like KD ratchets. The only problem is that the one I like isn't what you have, Elroy. They have the good old round head ratchets that Craftsman has sold for so long, only with a nicer knurled handle. I'm sorry you aren't that thrilled with what you got. I have an old Matco BR8T that was an earlier model of that same ratchet, without the quick release and with the back of the head being solid. It is a really surprisingly good ratchet. The new ones, not so much...
lauver
Well-known member
Thank you. Fully aware of this fact and at some point in time that may very well happen. For now Elroy is just going to use them as is.
Elroy,
I'm curious how the Protos and KDs compare. I'm not interested in the cosmetic differences. I'm more interested in the fit/feel/performance. Let me know what you observations are.
There is really no comparison. In Elroy opinion the Proto's are much better. You see the Proto is a "modern" design with a fine/multiple tooth mechanism. That Danaher / K-D design is OLD and choppy. But it is strong so Elroy doubt he'll have any real issues.
The only problem with the new Proto designs are the internal parts are so damn small that Elroy foresees dirt and corrosion as being a problem.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21903
This is a basic design issue that dramatically shows up in the 1/4" drive. The shifting is kind of hit or miss and if the selector on the 1/4" is pushed too far the mechanism become rough.
This characteristic if fully absent in the 3/8" and 1/2" Proto. These two tools are butter smooth. Add the Red Lube of love and you're slick baby
In 1/4" Elroy reaches for this first:
And this second
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